Domestic Growth Slows Amid Manufacturing and Mining Weakness

The domestic economy is forecast to slow to 3.0% for this year before recovering to 3.9% in 2026, hindered by a 4.6% contraction in manufacturing and a 0.1% decline in primary industries. Persistent drought, reduced livestock and diamond output, and falling SACU and diamond revenues pose additional risks, according to Josefina Oskar from the Bank of Namibia. Adding that, on the global front, growth is slowing: advanced economies remain stagnant at 1.6%, emerging markets show slight moderation, while Sub-Saharan Africa is expected to rise from 4.1% in 2025 to 4.4% in 2026.